New Species of Springtails

New Species of Springtails Latest News

Scientists recently discovered two new species of tiny soil-dwelling creatures called springtails named Folsomia ciega and Folsomia unioculata in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats, taking the number of known species of the genus Folsomia in India to 13.

About Folsomia ciega and Folsomia unioculata

• They are two new species of tiny soil-dwelling creatures called springtails.
• They were discovered in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats.   
• Both species belong to the genus Folsomia. 
• Folsomia ciega, named after the Spanish word for ‘blind’, lacks eyes entirely. 
  • It is a small, pale, and elongated springtail measuring about 1 mm and is distinguished by the arrangement of bristles and a two-pronged tail structure called a mucro.
• Folsomia unioculata, meaning ‘one-eyed’ in Latin, has a single eye on each side of its head. 
  • It grows up to 1.3 mm and differs from related species that either have multiple eyes or are completely blind.

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What are Springtails?

• Springtails (Collembola) are tiny insect-like creatures. 
• They are one of the world’s tiniest arthropods, measuring up to 0.2 mm in length. The largest springtail you could find is just about 10 mm long. 
• They lack wings, and the body is divided into three parts: head (with short antennae), thorax, and abdomen. 
• Six legs, short antennae, and a soft, elongated, or circular body distinguish these tiny organisms. 
• Springtails are creamy white or grey in colour, with some having yellow, orange, metallic green, or red scales. 
• Their skin has comb-like hexagonal or rhombic granules that are water repellent and self-cleaning.

News: NIE